Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th May 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2024 were confirmed and signed.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct.  In making their decision councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Cllr S Bartlett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in minute 23 because of his wife’s employment status in relation the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of Council.

The Chair reported the deaths of Honorary Alderman John Tory (former North Dorset District Councillor) and Jess Nagel (former Weymouth & Portland Borough Councillor). The Chair also advised that a short presentation from the Dorset Youth Council, would take place at the beginning of every council meeting going forward.  

A period of 30 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to questions and statements on the business of the Council in the following order:

(a) Questions and statements from Town and Parish Councils;

(b) Questions and statements from those living or working in the Dorset Council area;

A person or organisation can submit either 1 question or 1 statement at each meeting. 

You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.  If you submit a statement for Full Council this will be circulated to all members of the council in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes of the meeting for the formal record but it will not be read out at the meeting.  The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received by Democratic Services will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline below:  

The full text of the question or statement must be received by 8.30am on Monday 15^th July 2024. All submissions must be emailed to susan.dallison@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk 

When submitting your question or statement please note that:

Sub-divided questions will not be accepted;

Each question can consist of up to 450 words, including a pre-amble to set the context of the question;

When submitting a question please indication who the question is for, i.e., the name of the Portfolio Holder;

You will need to include your full name, address and contact details;

All questions and statements will be published in full with the minutes of the meeting as a matter of public record.

There were seven questions received from members of the public and these are set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes. There were also 2 public statements and thee can also be found in the appendix.

1.To consider a petition relating to the QE Leisure Centre at Wimborne

2.To consider a deputation relating to the Bibby Stockholm Barge

A period of 15 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to petitions in accordance with the council’s petitions scheme.

A period of 15 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to deputations in accordance with the council’s constitution.

The petitions scheme and procedures relating to deputations can be viewed at:

Council Procedure Rules

Petition – Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre

Mr Steve Parlour presented a petition requesting Dorset Council to “stop the closure of the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre, Wimborne”. A copy of his full statement is attached at Appendix 2 to these minutes.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr N Ireland that this matter be considered by Cabinet at its next meeting in September.

Some members expressed concerns around why this matter was not going to be considered by a scrutiny committee prior to a decision of Cabinet in September. The Director for Legal and Democratic Services advised that it was expedient to take the matter directly to Cabinet in September to avoid delay and for an early decision; he also confirmed that there was no requirement in the constitution, for a petition to be referred to a scrutiny committee prior to a decision made by any other committee.

Decision

That the petition be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

Deputation – Bibby Stockholm Barge

A deputation was submitted by Elaine White, Candy Udwin, Lucy Hardwicke, Sally Davidson and Giovanna Lewis on behalf of “Stand Up to Racism Dorset” in respect of the Bibby Stockholm Barge.

In response to the deputation, the Leader of the Council advised that Dorset Council remained opposed to the use of the Biddy Stockholm barge and to any extension of the contract between the Home Office and Portland Port. He confirmed that every opportunity would be used to engage with the new Government and new local MP to pursue the Council’s opposition. (A copy of the full response is attached at Appendix 3 to these minutes).

To receive any announcements and reports from the Leader of Council and members of the Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council reported that Dorset Council was shortlisted in the digital transformation category of the MJ Awards 2024 for a planning convergence and transformation project. Dorset Council was “highly commended” in this category. 

The Council was also shortlisted for a Royal Town Planning Institute (Southwest) – 2024 Award.  The Leader of the Council advised that the Judges were impressed with the “root and branch” scope of the service delivery and the high aspirational self-imposed targets to the creation of their new Unitary Authority Status.

Following the recent King’s Speech for the Opening of Parliament, the Leader of the Council confirmed that there was still much to be clarified in terms of devolution, planning changes and adult social care.

In response to a question, the Leader of the Council confirmed that the function of scrutiny was important to his administration. He also advised that the discussions with neighbouring councils regarding devolution options would be taking place shortly.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  The deadline for receipt of questions is 8.30am on Monday 15^th July 2024.

There were seven Councillor questions, as appended to these minutes at Appendix 4.

To consider a report by the Senior Planning Policy Officer.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning presented a report seeking the adoption on the Purbeck Local Plan (2018-2034) as part of the development plan for the Purbeck Area.

In presenting the recommendation, the Cabinet Member advised that the Purbeck Local Plan was submitted by Purbeck District Council prior to the creation of Dorset Council in April 2019. The Planning Inspectorate found the plan to be legally compliant and sound. He further advised that the plan, if adopted, would provide the framework for making decisions on planning matters in the Purbeck area until the emerging Dorset Local Plan. Failure to adopt the plan would leave the Purbeck area open to developer-led planning applications which were not consistent with PLP1 development strategy through the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

Most members present acknowledged that, the current plan was significantly out-of-date and therefore the most appropriate action should be to adopt the plan.

It was proposed by Cllr S Barrett and seconded by Cllr J Andrews

Decision

That the Purbeck Local Plan (2018-2034) be adopted as part of the development plan for the Purbeck area.

To consider a recommendation by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills presented the report and proposed the recommendation that the Youth Justice Plan be adopted.

The recommendation was seconded by Cllr R Legg

Decision

That the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 be approved.

To consider a recommendation from the Audit & Governance Committee.

The Leader of the Council presented the report and proposed the recommendation from the Audit and Governance Committee of 8 July 2024.

The recommendation was seconded by Cllr R Biggs.

Decision

That the Disclosure and Barring Service Checks for Councillors Policy be adopted.

To consider a recommendation from the Audit & Governance Committee.

In proposing the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee on 8 July 2024, the Chair, Cllr G Suttle reported that recommendation 3 should read “2024” not 2025. 

The recommendations were seconded by Cllr S Flower.

Decision

(a)           That the Officer Scheme of Delegation, be amended, in the Constitution to change the process for determining which planning applications are referred to the planning committees (as shown in Appendix 1 of the report).

(b)           That the Protocol for Members and Officers on Planning Procedures in the Constitution, be amended, at paragraph 8.2 (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report).

(c)           That any Officer Scheme of Delegation Change take effect on 25 July 2024.

(d)           That the Constitution be amended to rename Licensing Committee as the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee, creating a separate General Licensing Committee and substituting Articles 8.28 and 8.29 of the Constitution with new Articles 8.28 – 8.31 (as set out in Appendix 2 of the report).

(e)           That the Chair, Vice-Chair and other Members of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee also be appointed to the General Licencing Committee.

(f)            That sub-committees of the two licensing committees will be formed as and when needed from the membership of the relevant licensing committee.

To consider a report by the Team Leader, Democratic Services.

The Leader of the Council presented a report requesting Council to approve a minor change to the time Cabinet meetings were held throughout the year and to allow Chairs of People & Health Overview Committee, People & Health Scrutiny Committee, Place & Resources Overview Committee, Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee and Audit and Governance Committee the ability to change the meeting times of their committees.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr R Hope

Decision

(a)           That, as a change to the current Calendar of Meetings all future Cabinet meetings be held at 6.30pm.

(b)           That each of the Chairs of the 2 Overview Committees, the 2 Scrutiny Committees and the Audit and Governance Committee, in consultation with committee members, be given discretion to change the time of day at which their committee is to meet.

To consider a Notice of Motion – The Nature Emergency.  

Full Council received the following motion proposed by Cllr N Ireland, seconded by Cllr C Sutton and supported by Cllr David Taylor, Cllr Mike Baker, Cllr Belinda Bawden, Cllr Dave Bolwell, Cllr Sarah Williams, Cllr Simon Clifford, Cllr Steve Robinson, Cllr Richard Biggs, Cllr Gill Taylor, Cllr Claudia Webb, Cllr Scott Florek, Cllr Duncan Sowry-House, Cllr Kate Wheller, Cllr Louise Bown, Cllr Will Chakawhata, Cllr Andy Canning, Cllr Jack Jeans, Cllr Chris Kippax, Cllr Jon Orrell, Cllr M Bell, Cllr S Holland.

Motion narrative and action required

This council:                               

1.  Declares that there is a nature emergency, recognising: 

a.     That nature is in long term decline and urgent action must be taken to reverse this, that the UK is one of the world's most nature-depleted countries - in the bottom 10% globally and the worst in the G7 - and with only about half its biodiversity left that it is far below the global average; 

b.    That a thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous society, that it benefits our physical and mental health, feeds us, cleans our air, moderates urban heat, alleviates flooding, absorbs carbon, makes counties like Dorset beautiful and that its survival and diversity is essential to human life; 

c.     That the nature crisis and the climate emergency are intrinsically linked and that the impacts of the climate crisis drive nature’s decline, while restoring nature can help to tackle the climate crisis. 

2. Notes the positive work already begun and planned by this council including: 

d.   The strategic intent as encapsulated in its Natural Environment, Climate and Ecology strategy, alongside the council’s role as responsible authority for the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the county of Dorset. 

e.   The work already undertaken to promote biodiversity in the council’s own country parks and greenspaces, farms, highway verges, watercourses, designated areas, woodland, local nature reserves and other natural areas. 

f.    Hosting the Dorset National Landscape Partnership and supporting its nature recovery work with a wide range of stakeholders, including coordinating the Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve partnership and the West Dorset Rivers and Coastal Streams catchment, and making significant investments in nature through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. 

3. Commits to embed nature’s recovery at the heart of all strategic plans, including the forthcoming Dorset local plan, policy areas and decision-making processes, building upon the climate decision-wheel and the Nature Recovery Dorset brand.  

4. Having declared a climate emergency in 2019, commits to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together and investing in nature-based solutions to the challenges posed by climate change, including mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to increased climate risk such as flooding and extreme summer heat. 

5. Facilitate the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Dorset, working with farmers, landowners, businesses, organisations and NGO’s so that there are agreed priorities, opportunities and reportable actions to recover nature across Dorset. 

6. Set clear strategic and measurable goals for nature’s recovery by 2030 and its contribution towards mitigating carbon emissions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

Following the resignation of Cllr Chris Kippax from the Western & Southern Planning Committee to elect a Vice-chair of the committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr S Bartlett

Decision

That Cllr N Eysenck be elected Vice-Chair of the Western & Southern Planning Committee.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items to report.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There is no exempt business scheduled for this meeting.

There was no exempt business to report.